rivett608
Diamond
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2002
- Location
- Kansas City, Mo.
I have a lathe that I am trying to learn more about, If I knew how to get pictures up on this site I would but can't seem to get that figured out so I'll send them to anyone who contacts me. Now for the Lathe, It is very simalar to the one example known of a lathe by George Ballou the founder of the American Watch Tool Co. He also worked with Edison and J.Rogers of Pratt & Whitney on his measuring machine. Anyway the lathe...it looks to be made in the late 1870's or early 80's, has dark green original paint with what appear to be factory numbers painted on the front of the carriage. It has a 32" long bed, looks simalar to a Rivett 608 with the carriage riding on a set of ways mounted on the front of the bed, now for the neat part...the cross slide is mounted on a vertical way, about 2" travel and the head and tailstocks lean forward so the center is out over the front of the bed, this is for milling.....the lathe is mounted on fairly detailed cast iron bench legs with nice change gears, handles and nuts. Has anyone out there seen something that looks like this or have a Ballou lathe (I think this maybe a prototype???).Thanks an hope to learn more...